Comminuting device



July 28, 1959 Filed Oct. 27. 1955 w. H. LANNERT 2,896,786

COMMINUTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-.Sheet 1 July 28, 1959 w. H. LANNERT 2,896,786

coMMINuTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 27, 1955 3 Sheets-SheetvZ July 28,1959 l w. H. LANNERT 2,896,786 v COMMINUTING DEVICE Filed octfz?, v1955 v s sheets-sheet 3 2,896,786 Cot/MINUTING DEVICE William H. Lannert, Skokie, Ill., assignor to Chicago Pump Company, a corporation of Delaware Application (Pctoher 27, 1955, Serial No. `543,064 Claims. (Cl. ZIO-173) This invention relates to a comminuting device having a cutting cylinder movable along the face of the screen, and is particularly concerned with means for supporting the cylinder in such manner as to normally hold it against the screen, but permitting it to move away from the screen in case a large vobject is encountered.

The screen is vertically disposed in a sewage stream with the screen bars extending vertically. The comminuting unit, comprising a cutting cylinder and a comb, is mounted in a pair of end members each of which has an inverted L-shaped frame support secured thereto. One arm of the inverted L-shaped frame support extends vertically above the end member, and the other arm extends from the upper end of the Vertical arm in the forward direction, away from the screen. The forward end of each inverted Leshaped frame support is pivotally secured to a shoe slidably mounted in a vertical channel. A cable connected to suitablehoisting mechanism is secured to the upper rear edge of each inverted L-shaped frame support to raise and lower the comminuting device along the face of the screen. The pivotal support of the `forward end of the inverted L-shaped frame supports permits the cutting cylinder to swing away from the screen if it encounters an object too large to be comminuted. The weight of the comminuting unit normally holds it against the screen, and moves it back into engagement with the screen when it has passed by the large object or when such object falls out of engagement with the cutting cylinder.

The structure by which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing two preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a comminuting device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the comminuting device;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of one of the inverted L-shaped frame supports;

Fig. 4 is a top View, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, showing the cutting cylinder held away from the screen by an object too large to be comminuted;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 61-6 of Fig. ll; and

Fig. 7 is a `detail perspective View of the shoe and stud for pivotally supporting the inverted L-shaped frame supports which carry the cutting cylinder.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates an iniluent channel, and the numeral 3 indicates an effluent channel. Channels 2 and 3 constitute integral parts of a concrete structure comprising side walls 4 and 5, and a bottom 6. A rib 7 extending transversely of the channels and projecting upwardly from the bottom 6 serves as a dividing marker between channels 2 and 3. Rib 7 has another function which `ates Patent of transversely spaced at ribbon-like strips held under will be described later. A channel Shaving its sides extending towards side wall 5 is rigidly secured, Kin any suitable manner, to side wall 4 adjacent one end of rib 7. A channel 9 is similarly secured to side wall 5 adjacent the opposite end of rib 7. Channels 8 and 9 extend upwardly at right angles to bottom wall 6. An angle iron 10 extends upwardly along side Wall 4 adjacent the front edge of channel 8. The leg of angle iron 10 extending parallel to the adjacent side of channel 8 is longer than the side of channel 8 and extends past it. A lsimilar angle iron 11 is secured to side wall 5. Angle irons 10 and 11 are each provided with a guide rod 12 and 13, respectively. Each guide rod is positioned in the inner corner of its angle iron and extends upwardly in parallel relationship thereto.

A screen 14 extending transversely between side walls 4 and 5 Vseparates influent channel 2 from effluent channel 3. Screen 14 comprises a plurality of vertically extending U-shaped screen bars 15 transversely spaced at uniform intervals across the width of the channel and rigidly mounted in a rectangular frame 16. Although a U-bar screen is shown in the drawings, it will be understood that any suitable type of screen may be used.V

For example, the screen bars may be V-shaped or may be rectangular. The screen may also comprise a series tension.

Frame 16 comprises a top wall '17, side walls 18 and 19, and a bottom wall 20. Side walls 18 and 19 are positioned adjacent the rear side of the inwardly extending legs of angle irons 10 and 11, respectively, inwardly of the adjacent edge of channels 8 and 9. A plurality` of transversely extending reinforcing strips 21 secured to the rear edge of screen bars 15 extends beyond the vopposite edges of screen 14 into channels 8 and 9. Bottom `wall 20 of frame 16 is preferably a channel iron, and is mounted on top of rib '7 to space the bottom of screen 14 above the bottom of channel 2 for a reason hereinafter disclosed.

A rotatable cutting cylinder 22 is reciprocated vertically along the upstream face of screen 14 to remove solid matter intercepted by the screen and to comminute it in a manner hereinafter described. Cylinder 22 is provided with a plurality of laterally projecting teeth 23' that enter the U-shaped recess in screen bars 1S as the cylinder is rotated, to remove the intercepted solids from the upstream face of the screen. In order to perform this function efficiently, the cylinder must engage its lowermost portion of the screen when the cylinder is in its lowermost position. Rib 7 and bottom wall Z0 of frame 16 cooperate to provide space below the lowermost portion of screen bars 15 in which stones and other heavy solids, which rest on bottom 6 of channel 2, may accumulate, so that such stones and heavy Solids do not engage and damage the teeth of the cylinder. The stones and `other heavy solids are removed from the space in` front of rib 7 and bottom 20 of frame 16 before the` accumulation of solids not suitable for comminution at tains a height suicient to reach the lowermost portion. of screen bars 15.

The opposite ends of cylinder 22 are rotatably mountedV in end plates 24 and 25 which move vertically with cyline der 22 as it is reciprocatcd vertically along the upstream. face of screen 14. A hydraulic motor 26 for rotating cylinder 22 is mounted on end plate '24 and is provided with flexible lines 27 to permit vertical movement of themotor along with end plate 24 and cylinder 22. Motorl 26 is reversible, and is reversed automatically by limit? switches (not shown) at each end of the Vertical `travel of cylinder 22. The automatic reversal of motor 26 in Patented July 28 1959y sures that teeth 23 are properly directed regardless of the direction of vertical movement of cylinder 22.

End plates 24 and 25 also carry a shaft 28 which is oscillated once every time the direction of the vertical movement of cylinder 22 is reversed. Combs 29 and 30 are rigidly mounted on opposite sides of shaft 28 and oscillate therewith. Each comb is provided along one edge with a plurality of notches 30 aligned transversely with teeth 23. As cylinder 22 is rotated, teeth 23 rotate in parallel planes into notches 30 to comminute solids engaged vsimultaneously by interengaging notches and teeth.

The combs are so arranged that when one is in operative position to cooperate with teeth 23 the other is spaced from the cylinder in inoperative position. The'oscillation of shaft 2S alternately moves combs 29 and 30 into operative position, depending upon the direction of vertical movement of cylinder 22. When cylinder 22 is moving upwardly, comb 29 is in operative position to engage teeth 23, and comb 30 is spaced from cylinder 22 to allow space for the comminuted debris to permit it to pass comb 30 and flow through screen 14 along with the liquid sewage. When cylinder 22 is moving downwardly, comb 30 is in operative position, and comb 29 is spaced from cylinder 22.

The mechanism for rotating cylinder 22 and for oscillating the combs to alternatively move one or the other into operative relationship with the cutting cylinder is fully described in Patent No. 2,672,985 granted to Carl H. Nordell, March 23, 1954.

The mechanism for moving cylinder 22 vertically comprises a motor 31 mounted on a platform 32 positioned above and rearwardly of screen 14. Although any suitable type of motor may be used, I prefer to use a brake type electric motor to provide for the instantaneous stopping of the commuting unit by the brake on the motor whenever the limit switches operate to stop and reverse the direction of rotation of cylinder 22. Motor`31 rotates a pair of drums 33 through reduction gearing 31 and shafts 34 provided with couplings 35 and bearings 35. Each drum has a cable 36 wound thereon. Motor 31 is partially enclosed in a housing 37 extending upwardly above platform 32 and having side walls 38 and 39 extending forwardly of screen 14.

A reinforcing bracket `40 is secured to each side wall 38 and 39. Bracket 40 comprises a vertical member 41 and a horizontal member 42 extending forwardly of the upper end of the vertical member. A channel 43, which serves as a guide track for the forward edge of an inverted L-shaped frame support, hereinafter described, is secured at its upper end to the forward end of bracket 40 and depends below the bottom edge of housing 37, as shown in Figs. l and 2. The portion of channel 43 below the bottom edge of housing 37 is juxtaposed againstV side wall `4 or 5 of channel 2 and is held in place by an angle iron 44 abutting its forward edge and a plurality of blocks 45 abutting its rear edge. Angle iron 44 and blocks 45 are each secured to the side walls of channel 2 in any suitable manner.

Suitable bearings 46 are mounted on the upper rear edge of bracket 40 to rotatably support a sheave 47 adjacent each side wall 38 and 39. Cables 36 from each drum 33 extend over the sheave 47 which is aligned with the drum, and each cable has a ring 48 at its lower end. Each ring 48 is pivotally secured to the upper rear edge of an inverted L-shaped frame support 49, as indicated at t), Fig. 3. Each inverted L-shaped frame support 49 comprises a vertical arm 51 extending downwardly from the corner to which cable 36 is attached, and a horizontal arm 52 extending forwardly from said corner. The lower portion of vertical arm 51 of one support is rigidly secured to the upper rear edge portion of end plate 24, as indicated at 53. The vertical arm of secured to end cap 25, as indicated at 54.i

A transverse rod 55 extends between inverted L-shaped frame supports 49 in alignment with the forward edge portions of horizontal arms 52. The opposite ends of rod 55 are reduced, as indicated at 56, Fig. 7, and ex-V tend through apertures in the forward edge portion of each arm 52. A collar '57 is mounted on each end of rod 55 to abut the inner sideV of each arm 52. Ashoe 58, providedv with a transverse aperture 59, is mounted on each reduced` end portion 56. Each shoe 58 is fixed relative to rod 55, but the inverted L-shaped frame supports 49 are free to swing pivotally relative to the rod. Each shoe 58 has opposite edges abutting the side walls of guide track 43, which is in the form of a channel, so that the shoes can slide vertically in the guide track, but can not be moved away from it.

The comminuting unit, comprising cylinder 22 and combs 29 and 30, is supported at its opposite ends by the inverted L-shaped frame supports 49. Cables 36 are wound on and unwound from drums 33 to raise and lower the comminuting unit. The attachment of Veach cable to the inverted L-shaped frame support V49 at 50 provides a moment arm around the shoe 58 which normally forces the comminuting unit against screen 14. In this position it is held in spaced relationship to screen 14 by a pair of blocks 60 and 61 secured to the rear portions of end plates 24 and 25, respectively. One corner of block 60 is cut away, as indicated at 62, to enable it to t against guide rod 12. Block 61 is similarly cut away, as indicated at 63, to t against guide rod 13.

The weight of the comminuting unit and the moment arms about the shoes 58 urge cylinder 22 towards screen 14. The interengagement of blocks 60 and 61 with guide rods 12 and 13, respectively, prevent movement of the cylinder towards screen V14 beyond a predetermined plane. When the comminuting unit is reciprocated vertically in said predetermined plane, teeth 23 of cylinder 22 pass into the grooves of screen bars 15 as the cylinder is rotated. When the comminuting unit is in its .uppermost position, with cylinder 22 adjacent the upper end of screen 14, the upper portions of inverted L-shaped frames 49 extend above side walls 4 and 5 of channel 2. Housing 37 is provided with angle irons 64 extending down-V -Wardly Vin vertical alignment with angle irons 10 to help hold the upper portions of inverted L-shaped frame supports 49 aligned properly in their uppermost position.

If cylinder 22 encounters a large object, such as a two by four, as indicated at 65, Fig. 5, which cannot be comminuted with one pass of the teeth as the comminuting unit is being moved along the face of screen 14, the pivotal connections of the inverted L-shaped frame support permit the comminuting unit to swing outwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the cylinder can move past the large object. As soon as the cylinder is past the object, the weight of the comminuting unit causes it to swing back into its normal position to cornminute the rest of the solids intercepted by the screen. If the large object is not displaced from the screen, the cylinder will swing outwardly each time it passes, and teeth 23 will bite portions of the object until it is eventually comminuted. The pivotal movement of `the comminuting unit protects the teeth against damage because they are not subjected to excessive pressure as the cylinder passes large objects.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof'is intended tovv be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modied or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

l. yln combination with a vertically disposed screen, a comminuting unit mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement adjacent one face of said screen, a pair of inverted L-shaped frame supports secured to opposite ends of` said comminuting unit, each of said inverted L-shaped l) um frame supports comprising a vertical arm extending upwardly from the end of said comminuating unit in parallel relationship to said face of the screen and a horizontal arm extending forwardly from the upper end of said vertical arm at right angles to the face of said screen, said frame supports being movable pivotally relative to the screen, whereby said comminuting runit may swing outwardly from said screen upon engagement with an oversize solid, .and a pair of guide tracks extending parallel to said screen in forwardly spaced relationship thereto, each of said horizontal arms having its forward end slidably engaged with one of said guide tracks.

2. In combination with ya vertically disposed screen, a comminuting unit mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement adjacent one face of said screen, a pair of inverted L-shaped frame supports secured to opposite ends of said comminuting unit, each of said inverted L- shaped frame supports comprising a vertical .arm extending upwardly from the end of said comminuting unit in parallel relationship to said face of the screen and a horizontal arm extending forwardly from the upper end of said Vertical arm at right angles to the face of said screen, said frame supports being movable pivotally relative to the screen, whereby said commuting unit may swing outwardly from said screen upon engagement with an oversize solid, a shoe pivotally secured to the forward end of each of said horizontal arms, and a pair of guide tracks extending parallel to said screen in forwardly spaced relationship thereto, each of said shoes being slidably mounted in one of said guide tracks.

3. In combination with a vertically disposed screen, a comminuting unit mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement adjacent one face of said screen, a pair of inverted L-shaped frame supports secured to opposite ends of said comminuting unit, each of said inverted L- shaped frame supports comprising a vertical arm extending upwardly from the end of -said comminuting unit in parallel relationship to said face of the screen and a horizontal arm extending forwardly from the upper end of said vertical arm at right angles -to the face of said screen, a hoisting mechanism for moving said comminuting unit vertically, said hoisting mechanismincluding a cable pivotally secured to the upper rear edge portion of each of said inverted L-shaped frame supports, and a pair of guide tracks extending parallel to said screen in forwardly spaced relationship thereto, each of said horizontal arms having its forward end slidably engaged with one of said guide tracks.

4. In combination with a vertically disposed screen, a comminuting unit mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement adjacent one face of said screen, a pair of inverted L-shaped frame supports secured to opposite ends of said communiting unit, each of said inverted L- shaped frame supports comprising a vertical larm extending upwardly from the end of said comminuting unit in parallel relationship to said face of the screen and a horizontal arm extending forwardly from the upper end of said verticalarm at right angles to the face of said screen, a hoisting mechanism for moving said comminuting unit vertically, said hoisting mechanism including a cable pivotally secured to the upper rear edge portion of each of said inverted L-shaped frame supports, a pair of vertical guide tracks spaced forwardly of said screen, and a shoe slidably mounted in each of said 4guide tracks, each of said horizontal arms having its forward end pivotally secured to one of said shoes.

5. In combination with a vertically disposed screen, a comminuting unit positioned adjacent one face of said screen, a pair of inverted L-shaped frame supports each having a vertical arm adjacent said face of the screen land a horizontal arm extending forwardly from the upper end of said vertical arm at right angles to the face of said screen, each of said vertical arms being secured at it-s lower end to one end of said comminuting unit, a cable secured to each of said inverted L- shaped frame supports adjacent its upper rear edge portion, the opposite end of each of said cables being secured to 'a hoisting mechanism for moving said comminuting unit vertically relative to said screen, Ia pair of vertical 'guide tracks spaced forwardly of said screen, a shoe slidably mounted in each of said guide tracks, each of said horizontal arms having its forward end pivotally secured to one of said shoes whereby the moment arms about said shoes urge said comminuting unit against said screen, Vertical guide rods adjacent opposite` edges of said screen, `and a block secured to each end of said comminutin-g unit, said blocks being adapted to engage said guide rods to maintain a predetermined spaced relationship between said comminuting unit and said screen.

Laughlin ---i Aug. 10, 1948 Nordell Mar. 23, 1954 

